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Mississippi Edition: Monday, November 9th

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by Sid Scott on

Republican Super Majority

For the first time in state history, Republicans will hold a super majority in the Mississippi House of Representatives. Election night proved to be a devastating blow for Democrats -- with key losses in the election and Representative Jodi Steverson switching parties. Republicans will now control a seventy-four-seat super majority that will allow them to pass tax and spending bills without Democratic support. MPB's Paul Boger spoke with Marty Wiseman -- political scientist and chairman emeritus of the Stennis Center of Government at Mississippi State University -- about the super majority.

Same Sex Adoption

Four Mississippi same-sex couples are awaiting a federal judge's ruling after testifying about the state's ban against adoption. Same-sex couples appeared before U.S. District Judge Dan Jordan and said they want the same rights as heterosexual parents. Roberta Kaplan -- attorney for The Campaign for Southern Equality -- says Mississippi's statue against same-sex adoption is unconstitutional. She says those who want to be foster parents also face discrimination. Kaplan named the Mississippi Department of Human Services, its executive director, the attorney general and the governor in the lawsuit. MPB's Desare Frazier spoke with Kaplan.

Mayor Yarber, Part 2

Mayor Tony Yarber of Jackson has been in office a little more than a year and a half. As chief executive of Mississippi's capital city, Yarber has many challenges. In the second of a two-part interview, we talked with him about the work ahead -- and about some of the positive things happening in Jackson.